DOTA is one of the most played multiplayer PC games of the last few years, and its popularity in some countries rivals that of Starcraft 2. Anyone who is yet to jump into the fray may be interested to learn that the sequel due out later this year will be based on a free to play model.

For the uninitiated, DOTA stands for ‘Defense of the Ancients’, and the game started off as a mod for Warcraft III. Essentially the aim of the game is to destroy your opponents ‘Ancient’ which is a heavily guarded structure in each corner of the map. To do this the player needs to use heroes and buy upgrades and new kit to help them out.

DOTA 2 is being published and distributed by Valve, and the sequel will be bigger in every way. Prior to the launch of the title an online store will be made available through Steam, allowing gamers to pre-purchase equipment that will be live when the game is released.

Do you currently play DOTA? Do you think the free to play model suits the game and it’s sequel? Personally I could see a ‘consolised’ version perhaps working well on Wii U, using the tablet controller to manage your troops and a micro transaction system working through the EShop. What do you guys think?